Staff Spotlight: Molly Swinney

MDWFP’s Mississippi Museum of Natural Science

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Molly Swinney

Gift Shop Associate

You’ve probably seen Molly’s smiling face in the
museum’s gift shop over the past two and a half years.

Get to know this Millsaps student in the interview below.

WHAT’S YOUR WORKDAY LIKE?

A typical workday in the gift shop begins with restocking from the previous day, organizing items on displays, and cleaning. Throughout the day, I greet guests, check-out customers, and answer questions about the museum.

Everyday working at the museum is a different adventure. When we get new exhibits, it’s always a thrill to see what’s in store for visitors.

ANY FUNNY WORK STORIES?

During my first week working at the museum, I was encouraged to check out the summer exhibit, “Goose Bumps: The Science of Fear”.

This interactive exhibit allowed guests to experience fear in several different ways.

My fellow co-workers convinced me to try the fear of falling. This simulator made you feel as if you were free-falling backwards, but there was a cushion.

I agreed, but little did I know that it was filming my reaction as I fell, which would then be played ON REPEAT. Everyone got a kick out of watching me fall. At the time it was not so funny. However, I look back now and laugh.

WOULD YOU SHARE A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?

I’m currently a student at Millsaps College pursuing my BS in Psychology. I’m also a member of the Millsaps women’s’ soccer team.

I moved to Jackson from Kosciusko, MS after graduating from Kosciusko High School in 2015, and have been here ever since.

HOW DOES YOUR JOB CONTRIBUTE TO CONSERVATION?

I help customers with selecting books and hands-on science kits for adults and kids in the gift shop.

ANY ADVICE FOR A STUDENT INTERESTED IN A BIOLOGY OR MUSEUM CAREER?

Any student interested in a career at the museum should definitely begin with volunteer work.

Volunteers are welcomed to engage in hands-on experience and can gain important information about the day-to-day life of an employee at the science museum.